Tann/Rhoen

Summary: The Jewish community of Tann/Rhoen, established in 1750, consecrated a cemetery (near Am Weinberg) in the mid- 18th century. Religious services were initially conducted in a prayer hall, but a synagogue—it housed a schoolroom—was built in Tann in the early 19th century. The Jewish elementary school, established in or around the year 1830, was presided over by a teacher who also performed the duties of chazzan and shochet. In 1880, one year after the synagogue burned down in a neighborhood fire, local Jews inaugurated a new synagogue building. The community also maintained a mikveh. The school was closed in 1933, after which the teacher instructed children in religion until his emigration in 1934. On November 7, 1938, namely, two days before Pogrom Night, SA troops destroyed the synagogue and its ritual items; Jews were locked in a cellar while their homes and property were destroyed. At the end of 1938, the synagogue’s ruins were demolished to make room for a parking lot. Thirty-one Jews emigrated, 36 relocated within Germany and seven died in Tann. By February 1940, no Jews lived in the town. At least 46 local Jews perished in the Shoah. A memorial plaque was unveiled at the former synagogue site in 1966. Later, in 1991, a memorial stone was unveiled in Tann; and in 2008 a monument was built using original bricks from the synagogue.

Author / Sources: Heidemarie Wawrzyn
Sources: AJ, DJGH, EJL, PK-HNF
www.rhoen.de
www.kgv-tann.de